Seven journalists from Postmedia Network properties are among the finalists for the annual Canadian Association of Journalists Awards for 2012.

Postmedia News’s Stephen Maher and the Ottawa Citizen’s Glen McGregor were jointly nominated as finalists in the open newspaper and wire service category for their ongoing investigative work into the robocall affair, in which voters were sent to the wrong polling stations in the 2011 federal election.

“This nomination is great news,” said Maher. “Postmedia News has put a lot of resources into following this story, and I’m delighted that the CAJ judges saw fit to nominate it.”

The association, which represents about 500 members across Canada, received 177 entries in 15 different categories this year.

Postmedia News health reporter Sharon Kirkey was also nominated for a feature story about how chronic pain drove a Calgary teenager, Dominic Boivin, to take his life.

“He was such a bright, gifted and extraordinary young man whose tragic death was felt by so many people,” said Kirkey. “Dominic felt lost in the medical system. He had lost all hope that he would ever get better.”

In the scoop category, science reporter Margaret Munro is among the finalists for revelations about the “muzzling” of a federal government scientist – details that have contributed to a new investigation launched by Parliament’s information commissioner into whether there is a systemic muzzle on scientists who work for federal departments and agencies.

“Margaret Munro has watched the systematic clampdown on communication from government science experts and become the public’s conscience on this problem,” said Postmedia Managing Editor Christina Spencer.

Larry Wong from the Edmonton Journal was nominated in the photojournalism category for his portfolio of work.

Kim Bolan from the Vancouver Sun was named a finalist for daily excellence in her coverage of a murder at a downtown hotel with potential links to other gang-related killings.

The Ottawa Citizen’s Kathryn May was also a finalist for labour reporting about public sector unions bracing for a “war” with the federal government.

The winners will be announced May 4 in Ottawa.

Maher, McGregor and Kirkey are also finalists for National Newspaper Awards, to be announced on the same weekend.